Shreveport - Bossier, Louisiana's Other Side

Contact:
Jacques Berry, Press Secretary
Louisiana Secretary of State
225-362-5103
jacques.berry@sos.louisiana.gov

Sec. Dardenne kicks off Heroes and Heritage Trail

Secretary of State Jay Dardenne is announcing the launch of the Heroes and Heritage Trail, a series of destinations throughout Louisiana and the department’s museums division. Trailblazers, as the participants are called, will follow the trail for a convenient set of day or weekend trips into different parts of the state. A “Passport to Louisiana Adventure” will guide trailblazers when planning trips and during the actual visits to museums. Those who visit 11 museums will be eligible for an overnight stay at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge.

“Our guiding philosophy in organizing this tour has been to bring Louisiana’s incredibly rich story to life for you and your family,” Dardenne said. “Every museum in our system celebrates some unique aspect of Louisiana’s remarkable people, their struggles through war and tough times, their joy in peace and prosperity, and above all, their willingness to work hard and build a better state and country for themselves and their children.”

Passports are available at state museums, online at www.sos.louisiana.gov/hht, or by sending a written request to P.O. Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA  70804-9125. Participants should complete the registration card in the passport and return it to one of the museums or to the address listed above. The passport contains a complete list of rules.

For more information about the Heroes and Heritage Trail or the Secretary of State’s Museums Division, visit www.sos.louisiana.gov/museums.

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Gov. Bobby Jindal and aviation legend Gen. Chuck Yeager honor WWII hero Capt. Fletcher E. Adams

Shreveport-Bossier, La. --- The 357th Fighter Group is legendary for its victorious air-to-air combat record – the most of any P-51 group in the Eighth Air Force. The town of Ida honors this group with the dedication on Saturday, July 24, of the 357th Fighter Group Museum. The museum will house a sizeable display of WWII 357th Fighter Group items donated by former members and their families.

Capt. Fletcher E. Adams, a member of the 357th, was an Ida resident. His plane was shot down by enemy aircraft, but Adams survived by bailing out of his disabled plane. He was later murdered by German civilians after his capture. Adams’ widow still lives in Ida and will participate in the dedication ceremonies.

Also participating are Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and retired US Air Force General Chuck Yeager. Yeager was the first pilot to travel faster than the speed of sound. He served with Capt. Adams in the 357th Fighter Group and is noted for being the first pilot in the 357th to make “ace in a day” by shooting down five enemy aircraft in one mission. He finished the war with 11.5 official victories.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be conducted by the guest of honor, Mrs. Aline Adams, the wife of Fletcher Adams who has never re-married and still lives in Ida. She will be accompanied by her son, Jerry Adams, who was born after the death of his father. Ida Mayor Smokie Maddox, Pastor George "Buddy" Blake, Dr. Michael Olmsted and the Barksdale Air Force Honor Guard are also on the agenda.
 
The schedule for the day's activities in Ida are as follows:
 
11:00 a.m. - 357th Meet & Greet, Means Community Center
12:00 p.m. - Lunch available from vendors, Ida Park Grounds
12:30 p.m. - Silent Auction, Means Community Center
1:30 p.m. - Air National Guard Band Music, Ida Park Grounds
2:00 p.m. - Museum Dedication, Ida Park Grounds
2:30 p.m. - P-51 Flyover, Ida Park Grounds
2:45 - 5:00 p.m. - Museum open
 
For more information call 318-284-3496 or email chmaddox@cs.com.

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A year ago Kris Allen was a struggling musician living in Conway, Ark. Today he is signed to a major record label with his first album about to be released. His collaborators include members of The Fray, Train, The Script and Switchfoot as well as musicians who have written and produced for Maroon 5, Natasha Bedingfield, Fergie, Beyoncé, James Morrison, Duffy, Lily Allen, Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, Carolina Liar, the Veronicas, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent. That’s the way things are these days for Kris Allen, winner of the eighth season of “American Idol.”

It’s been an incredible journey for the 24-year-old who came very close to giving up on having a music career. “I was going to return to college and get a decent job so my wife and I could have a comfortable life together, which would have been fine,” Allen said. “But things worked out a different way, and I’m really happy!”

Allen has just put the finishing touches on his debut album (simply called “Kris Allen”) for 19 Recordings/Jive, which is set for release on November 17. Fans can already get a taste of the record’s pop-rock sound with his strong first single, “Live Like We’re Dying.”

On June 9, Kris Allen will bring his talent to the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. Prices are $18-28 and can be purchased at all TicketMaster locations, via phone 1-800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

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The Gardens of the American Rose Center will host a Green Thumb Seminar with Carolyn Hayward at 10 a.m., June 12, in the Klima Rose Hall, the American Rose Society Education & Visitor Center. Hayward will be discussing “Landscaping with Roses.” The seminar is free and open to the public and all attendees will receive a complimentary copy of American Rose magazine. Hayward is a Consulting Rosarian for the American Rose Society.

Green Thumb Seminars are held each month at the Gardens of the American Rose Center and feature a new gardening topic and speaker. The center is the home of the American Rose Society, created in 1974 through the contributions of rose lovers around the world. The 118-acre park contains more than 65 individual gardens with each bed and planting specially designed to demonstrate ways roses can be grown in the average home garden. It is conveniently located just off of I-20, Exit 5, in Shreveport.

Attendees are invited to tour the gardens after the event. General admission is $5.50, $4.50 for seniors 65+. For more information, please call (318) 938-5534.

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SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER, LA-The Louisiana Office of Tourism, along with other state and federal government agencies and private sector entities, continue to work together to monitor the impact of the oil spill and cleanup efforts in the Gulf of Mexico.

Much of the Louisiana Gulf Coast is unaffected by the oil spill and remains open for commercial and recreational fishing. All nine Louisiana coastal parishes (counties) continue to offer travelers historic and cultural attractions, world-acclaimed indigenous food and music, and notable restaurants and overnight accommodations.

Shreveport-Bossier, located in the northwest corner of the state, has not been affected by the oil spill. The sister cities, like most of the other parts of the state, are open for business and hope the remainder of the country will continue to support tourism, which is one of the state’s biggest economic engines.

The primary affected area is around the mouth of the Mississippi River in the southeast region of Louisiana. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast maps identify an "area of uncertainty" that extends around the origin of the spill.

“The nation has been so supportive of Louisiana over the years,” said Stacy Brown, president of the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau. “One of the most helpful things people can do for Louisiana is to continue to visit the state and enjoy all of our cultural attractions, festivals and events.”

Memorial Day weekend around the state will be festive. Starting in Shreveport-Bossier, the Mudbug Madness Festival, which celebrates the beloved crawfish, will be held May 27-30 at Festival Plaza in downtown Shreveport. There will be great zydeco and Cajun bands, lots of crawfish cooked just the way you like it, games and activities for the kids, and an overall great time for the entire family. For more information call 318-222-7403 or visit www.mudbugmadness.com.

In West Monroe, the Louisiana Southern Fried Festival will be happening May 28-30. It will feature a regional high school rodeo, lawnmower races, square dancing, chainsaw sculpting, furniture-making and more. For more information call 318-325-9160 or visit www.lasouthernfriedfestival.com.

The Jazz Pilgrimage Brunch is May 30, 8:15 a.m., in New Iberia at St. Edward Cafeteria. There will be a Pilgrimage March and Second Line. For more information call 337-560-5595.

The New Orleans Wine and Food Experience is May 25-29 is one of the most prestigious festivals of its kind, celebrating 19 years of wine and food. The 2010 event brings together world-renowned winemakers, celebrated chefs and industry insiders in a showcase of signature events and one-of-a-kind seminars designed to entertain, educate and inspire.

For more information and updates on the oil spill visit www.louisianatravel.com. For more information about Shreveport-Bossier visit www.shreveport-bossier.org and www.shreveportbossierfunguide.com.

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If you're looking for a walk on the wild side, check out Gators & Friends Alligator Park and Exotic Zoo (www.gatorsandfriends.com), located at 11441 US Hwy 80, Greenwood, where you and your family can watch as giant alligators feed, wrestle and swim!

These remarkable creatures are sure to awe and scare you as you view them in their natural habitat. If you're not into alligators (or may be just a bit scared of them), Gators and Friends now also boasts a fully stocked exotic petting zoo for you and your children to enjoy.

Take a walk among tame miniature horses, kangaroos, ring-tailed lemurs, deer, coatimundis, goats, llamas, a camel, a capybara (the largest rodent in the world), and even a Scottish cow. If you want to make friends with the exotic animals, try your hand at feeding them during feeding times.

Gators and Friends Park was established in 2006 as a way to increase awareness among the public about different types of animals, their habitat, lifestyle, and survival techniques. The owners of Gators and Friends are passionate about wildlife and have been in the wildlife business for more than 30 years.

For your maximum enjoyment, safety and the safety of the animals, Gators and Friends has a few rules and suggestions for their visitors.

•    Wear casual clothing, especially sturdy shoes.
•    For the health and safety of the animals, no balloons or small plastic toys are allowed on property.
•    Many hand-sanitizing stations are available around the park for your convenience.
•    Also, don’t forget to bring your camera.

The prices are $7.95 for 13 and over; $5.95 for kids 3-12; free for kids 2 and under and all senior citizens (65 plus) are eligible for a 10 percent discount. The feed for animals is $2. The park is open May to August, seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and September to April, Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information you may contact Gators & Friends Alligator Park and Exotic Zoo at 318.938.1199 or visit them on-line at www.gatorsandfriends.com.

For flower lovers, the Gardens of the American Rose Center has something spectacular for you and your family to see. The official rose bloom season is from April 1 through the end of October. So the grounds are absolutely spectacular and worth a visit to stop and smell the roses.

The center, located at 8877 Jefferson Paige Road in Shreveport sits on a 118-acre wooded tract. It also is home to the national headquarters of the American Rose Society.  The gardens were dedicated in 1974 when the American Rose Society headquarters moved to Shreveport from Columbus, Ohio.

The rose center is now the nation’s largest park dedicated to roses. Today, the American Rose Center features more than 65 individual rose gardens and 20,000 rosebushes, with a variety of companion plants, sculptures and fountains to enhance the beauty of the roses. The primary mission of the American Rose Society is education for visitors and members on anything and everything roses.

The gift shop there won’t disappoint you. From the moment you walk in until you leave you are surrounded by the aroma of roses. You can pick up books on how to grow and care for your roses, rose jelly to taste, rose lotion, rose aprons plus many more special gifts.

Though it is a rose park there are many other beautiful flowers and gardens. Other blooming flowers include quince, daffodils and Japanese magnolias. So, put on your comfortable walking shoes and take a stroll through the gardens to enjoy the scenery.

For better viewing enjoyment, we recommend that you take:
•    Your camera
•    Sunscreen
•    Water or other beverage
•    A pen and notebook to jot down thoughts to go with your pictures

Hours of operation are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday- Saturday and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5 per person. Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.

For more information you may contact the Gardens of the American Rose Center at 318- 938-8051 or visit their new website at www.ars.org.

The Villaggio, Bossier City’s new upscale community, is located at 5200 E. Texas Street, at the intersection of Interstate 20 and Highway 80 in north Bossier City. It offers 239 luxury apartment residences and the scenic six-acre Lake Villaggio, as well as shops and soon-to-open restaurants for people to enjoy. The focal point of the development is a 45-foot clock tower located in the promenade area overlooking the lake.

Villaggio incorporates the rich traditions of Italian living in its architecture, streetscapes, sidewalk cafes, residences and shopping.

Recent announcements by The Villagio are sure to enhance the experience for shoppers and diners looking for a little variety. Check out what’s coming and be sure to visit Villaggio’s website often for new openings and updates at www.villaggiobossier.com.

Esther’s Heavenly Sweet Things: Sweet treats available just in time for Easter, brought to you by Mrs. Esther! Esther’s Heavenly Sweet Things is now open at the Villaggio. Mrs. Esther offers cakes, pies, cookies, pralines and more for you to enjoy.

Archie Hebert’s Sports Bar and Grill: Scheduled to open in mid-June, this sports bar and grill will offer a menu of burgers, steaks, seafood, signature drinks and seasonal Louisiana dishes. With a spectacular view of the six-acre lake, outdoor patio seating and 11 high-definition televisions, Archie Hebert’s Sports Bar and Grill will be the place to go this summer.

The Lakehouse: The Lakehouse, Villaggio’s state-of-the-art conference center, is now under construction and expected to be open in mid-June. The facility will hold 500 attendees for major events and seat 250 for weddings, business meetings, family reunions, church services, or parties. The Lakehouse boasts a grand view of Lake Villaggio and the Villaggio Clock Tower. For booking info, contact Chez Rivage Events at 318.747.5558.

Current shops and stores offer everything from medical spa services to handmade French soaps. There are more than 20 stores currently opened in The Villagio. Be sure to visit some of the already open shops such as Boutique di Bambini, Soumas Heritage  Creole Gift Shop, Pretty Medical Spa and others.

The Villaggio is open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday – Saturday and closed on Sunday. For more information call 318.746.6107 or check out The Villaggio online at www.shopvillaggio.com.

The Shreveport Farmers’ Market will soon have something new to boast about. Southern Living magazine is including the local market in its new book, Farmer’s Market Cookbook. The book, focused on farmers’ markets from around the country, went on sale March 16.

The summer market will be held on Saturdays, 7 a.m. to noon, starting June 5 through September 4 and Tuesdays from 3-6 p.m. in June and July only. The fall market will open after the Red River Revel Arts Festival leaves and will stay open until Thanksgiving.

Noma Fowler-Sandlin has been the manager of the Shreveport Farmers’ Market for three years and has been a vendor for five years. She says that the local market is made up of a diverse group of individuals that keep the past alive through handed-down methods and recipes, yet keep up with the future by new marketing strategies.
 
“It’s a great market and one that is really growing every year. Our farmers and vendors really know what they’re doing, and the shoppers recognize that. It’s no surprise that such a creative and knowledgeable group would be featured,” says Sandlin.

She doesn’t give the vendors all the credit for making the Shreveport Farmers’ Market so unique, though.

“It’s not just the vendors that make it special – it’s our committed shoppers, too, who have their favorites and come back every time the market is open. There are more of them each year. They are learning a new way to shop and staying connected with their food and who produces it.”

So what can shoppers expect from the 2010 Shreveport Farmers’ Market? According to Sandlin, a lot!

“Every year we are seeing more interesting foods. Last year, we got cheese for the first time. We will have hot, fresh beignets and café au lait this year, and maybe even a juice bar.”

The market offers produce, wine, beef and ready-to-eat foods that you can eat at the market or take home with your purchases. “It’s not just the greens, but the hot sauce for the greens. It’s a gourmet field day,” boasts Sandlin.

On Tuesdays shoppers are treated to home-grown music to go with the food. “It’s truly a family-oriented experience that draws people together and blurs that producer/shopper line.”

You can purchase the Farmer’s Market Cookbook at most book stores nationwide for $29.95. Sign up on Facebook to learn more about the Shreveport Farmers’ Market, Click here for the facebook page.

If you’re planning on visiting any of the casinos soon, you may want to see what’s new at Diamond Jacks Casino and Resort. This riverboat casino has a new way for customers to remember them. Todd Hlavaty, owner and operator of Fine Line Tattoos, brings his years of experience to Shreveport-Bossier by opening up his newest studio at DiamondJacks. Hlavaty started tattooing in 1989 and in 1994 he opened the first Fine Line Tattoo studio in Dallas, Texas.

Hlavaty’s many years of experience in tattooing suggests he knows a thing or two about the industry. He says the average tattoo costs about $100-150 takes about 45 minutes to an hour to complete.

“Our average client looks like the average person. While our average age is 21-25, we still do a lot of work for those who are out of that age bracket as well,” he said.

Business is growing and so are the tastes of the casino customers.  “We had a customer come in and get ‘13’ tattooed on him,” Hlavaty said. “This was his way of changing his luck before hitting the casino.”

Hlavaty had good reasons to choose DiamondJacks as the home for his new studio. Unlike other tattoo studios that have very little to offer customers while they wait, those waiting at Fine Line Tattoo can test their luck on any of the 1,000 slots or try their hand at the 32 table games.

DiamondJacks Casino and Resort is located at 711 DiamondJacks Blvd. in Bossier City. It offers the only Fine Line Tattoo location in Louisiana. Other Fine Line Tattoo studios can be found in Texas, Missouri and Japan. Besides their 30,000-plus square feet of gaming action, DiamondJacks offers 570 luxurious rooms with a casual, relaxing décor, four first-class restaurants, full-service spa, state of the art fitness center, and an arcade.

For more information on Fine Line Tattoo Studios, you can visit them online at www.finelinetattoos.com. For more information on Diamond Jacks Casino and Resort call 318.678.7777 or 866.552.9629 or visit them online at www.diamondjacks.com/bossiercity.